The Hobby Handbook

PSA Backlog Update; Is Performance Finally Trumping Potential for Collectors?

A loaded episode of The Hobby Handbook with Alex and Trent. Series 2 released today. The importance of having a relationship at your LCS. Plus, a case hit/SSP draft, PSA backlog update, and more! 0:00 - Series 2 release day, and Alex pulled a 1/1 for the first time himself, and it was a 1/1 auto at that. 4:55 - The importance of having a relationship with your LCS. Alex picked up two huge cards at his LCS yesterday from a customer while he was there shopping on his own. 13:15 - What do we think turnaround times will look like for PSA at The National?  15:50 - Updated PSA backlog: they took in 4 million cards over the 5 days post-announcement.  22:00 - Topps Finest dropped on Monday, an update on mega boxes 31:00 - SSP/Case Hit Snake Draft 41:00 - What an incredible time in sports between the NBA Finals, the World Cup, and the Stanley Cup Finals 53:15 - Performance over potential seems to finally be winning out in the hobby.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Where We Stand on the State of Grading; Wemby vs. Ohtani

In this episode, we welcome back Alex and Trent and dig right into the Wemby vs. Ohtani debate. Plus, a look at the state of grading in 2026, post-PSA shutdown of value tiers. What should you grade, where should you grade it, and more importantly, when should you grade it? 0:00 - The boys are back! 3:00 - Have you been to any shows lately?  9:30 - Wemby is a 1-of-1 and people turn in to watch him do crazy stuff that someone his size shouldn’t be able to do, but can. 11:55 - If you look at the boxes Shohei and Wemby check, it’s the same 16:50 - The price for Wemby winning is already baked in, but similar to Ohtani, if he gets hurt it there’s a floor to how low things will go. High-end stuff won’t budge at all.  30:00 - How you should decide where to grade, and how you should decide when to grade 45:00 - 2026 Bowman reactions 54:00 - Ethan Holliday injured and the impact it has on Bowman pricing moving forward Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://collectibleslife.beehiiv.com/ [https://collectibleslife.beehiiv.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What's it Like Running a Card Shop in 2026 with Aaron from AAMint Cards

In this episode of The Hobby Handbook, Doug breaks down the massive Wemby sale and is joined by Aaron Amarant of AAMint Cards. 0:00 - Intro 6:20 - Doug finished his latest set! 9:10 - Aaron from AAMint joins the show! 11:45 - How AAMint got on the map 19:00 - Starting a brick-and-mortar store 30:25 - The Toughest part of owning a sports card shop and breaking company 46:00 - The one product he buys to rip every year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Is It Time to Buy, Sell, or Hold Wemby Cards?

In this episode, Doug takes a look at the greatness of Victor Wembanyama and his market. Plus, we dive into a debate about in-person autographs and look at the latest grading data from Gem Rate. 0:00 - Show intro and what is coming up on the show 04:30 - Buy/Sell/Hold Victor Wembanyama 13:00 - Wayne Gretzky's Rookie Card is going to set numerous records 17:30 - Do in-person autographs do anything for you? Do you collect them at all? 32:45 - Hockey Collecting 101 44:17 - Doug rips some packs to close out the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What is REALLY Moving at Card Shows Right Now?

In the Hobby Handbook this week, Doug Plagens breaks down the names moving the most at card shows over the last month. Plus, how he consumes Bowman in the most boring way possible, but it is a money-maker. Doug dives into: * The athletes moving the most at card shows right now * The one athlete he was surprised to get asked about the most * Doug's boring, but effective, way of consuming Bowman Baseball products * Plus, some tips for setting up and attending card shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]